During the Social Security disability process, on occasion, the question will come-up of how a new marriage may affect a Social Security disability claim if it is approved. The answer all depends on the circumstances of the marriage and the type of disability program an applicant is entitled to.
For someone who has been approved, both technically and medically, for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, marriage will have no impact on the amount of money one would receive if found disabled. Because the amount someone receives for SSDI directly correlates to what they have paid into the system through Social Security taxes, no other income besides existing work-related income, impacts the monthly amount. As long as an SSDI recipient is not working and earning more than $1,070 per month (gross income) nothing will impact their ability to receive full monthly payments if they are considered to be disabled.
The circumstances are quite different for those who have met the technical rules and been medically approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Because SSI is a needs based program, virtually all income and assets will be considered for eligibility, including a spouse’s income. To meet the technical rules of SSI, an applicant must not have more than $2,000 in combined assets.
If an applicant meets the technical and medical rules of SSI they will be eligible for individual monthly SSI payments up to $721 dependent on other household income that can reduce the maximum monthly amount of $721.
When two people, who are both receiving SSI individually, get married there are restrictions on the maximum amount a married couple can receive in SSI payments. Although two unmarried individuals could receive a combined amount of $1,442 per month in SSI payments, a married couple is limited to a maximum amount of $1,082 per month. This equates to $541 per person, some $180 less per month than the maximum individual SSI amount.
For more information about how income and resource limits can impact an SSI claim click here.
